Councilmember Rex Richardson officially launched the “Read with Rex” challenge today during the “Read Across America Day” celebration at Colin L. Powell Academy for Success in North Long Beach. The “Read with Rex” challenge asks the community to pledge to check out and read 10,000 books or other educational media items within the first 100 days of the opening of the new Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library this summer.

“In a matter of months, our residents will have access to the new Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library and all it has to offer. That’s why today, on Dr. Seuss’ birthday and Read Across America Day, I’m issuing a challenge to our community to commit to checking out and reading an additional 10,000 books from our new library within the first 100 days of its opening,” said Councilmember Rex Richardson. “As Dr. Seuss wrote, ‘the more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

Over 1,000 students at Colin L. Powell Academy were given pledge cards to sign their commitment to read and express their excitement for the opening of the new library, and 200 signed up to read over 600 books today during a school assembly. The “Read with Rex” challenge is open to all ages. Pledge cards can be picked up at Councilmember Richardson’s office located at 6509 Gundry Ave. in North Long Beach or filled out online at insidedistrict9.com. The “Read with Rex” challenge will be collecting pledges between now and June 1, 2016.

Slated to open this summer, the new Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library will be the largest neighborhood branch library in the city and serve as state-of-the-art focal point for North Long Beach. The 25,000 square foot facility will offer educational opportunities, such as an expanded children’s library, a story time theater space, and community center with spaces for large and small gatherings.